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Snippets: Bringing a Pen and Notebook

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com

This might seem to be a trivial matter to some, but it’s always good to bring along a pen and notebook to the interview. There are two very valid reasons for doing this: you might be provided with useful information about the position and the company that will prove valuable, and also, you might want to make notes after the interview as a reminder of what you have said, in preparation for a second interview. A seemingly simple step like this can make all the difference in the world as whether you get that job you have always wanted!

Snippets: Preparing for the Interview

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com

It’s perfectly normal to feel some anxiety before you attend a job interview of any sort, but what can you do to make the interview a more manageable experience? Here are a few key pointers to remember: everything you say and do during an interview is observed, so choose your answers properly, and be on your best behaviour. Be prepared to answer unpredictable questions, since one never knows what kind of issues that will be covered. And above all, try to overcome the inevitable nervous feelings that will crop up, as nervousness will impair your otherwise sound ability to communicate in an articulate manner.

Snippets: Using Online and Offline Approaches

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

To be a successful jobseeker, it’s always advisable to adopt both online and offline approaches. Seek out what are known as “published” opportunities by going online and visiting renowned job recruitment sites, as the Internet has proven to be a much faster and cheaper alternative to classified ads in the newspapers. An obvious offline approach would be to do some networking with known associates like former employers and colleagues, friends, relatives, and any other professionals that might spring to mind. Successful networking does require that you have as many contacts as possible, in order to ensure that you are made known to as many people as possible. Using both online and offline approaches will maximise your chances of finding that dream job.

Snippets: Job Interest Shouldn’t Be Your Main Priority

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

Due to current decreased job opportunities, especially entry-level positions, jobseekers should reconsider giving priority to their personal interests, when it comes to choosing a job. Of course, personal interest is important in determining what your eventual occupational direction will be, but if you’re striking out for the first time, it should be kept as your last priority, since entry-level jobseekers have no work experience. It’s always better to match your skills to your job, rather than matching your interest to the job.  If you have a few job opportunities at hand, then personal interest can be one of your options in helping you make your final choice. Otherwise, try not to place your personal interest as your main criterion for finding a job.

Snippets: Simple Steps to Land Your First Job

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

Choosing the right career is just not about impressing your employer and securing a job, it’s also about matching the job with your skill, value and personality. Self-assessment will help you to choose the right job. The first step is to discover your skills, as in which areas do you excel in. Based on your skills, you can then search for the job that you are capable of doing. Highlighting your communication skills in the resume can get you a better job. Then, consider your values: the things that are important to you that might make a difference in the way you do a job. Assess your personality, as in your individual qualities, needs and attitudes. The next logical step is career exploration: look in newspapers, online job portals, etc. Study about your career requirements and the industry, and interview people in that field. If possible, go to the actual workplace and study the activities of the company. After all this, comes the decision-making: start applying for jobs, and follow up diligently.

Snippets: Communication Skills

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

Here’s a fact: jobseekers without proper communication skills face lesser opportunities of being employed. Your resume is your first means of communication to employers, and the way it is written will convey your written communication skills. You might have years of work experience, but only a well-written resume will make a good first impression. Equally important are your oral communication skills, particularly during the job interview. The way you answer the questions and your body language will determine if you’ll get the job or not. For prospective jobseekers, improving communication skills is essential for getting a job: this means that jobseekers will require a sound knowledge of the right keywords. To improve linguistic skills, jobseekers need to read as much as possible, as well as constantly improving their grammatical acumen.

Snippets: Negotiating Salaries

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

So you’ve been offered that job you’ve been craving for. However, there is still a final move you should make before accepting the offer, that is, negotiating a salary that suits your requirements. But how do you successfully negotiate a salary that you can readily agree to? Well, firstly, do some proper salary research on the company. Find out what kind of wage are people earning in the same sort of position you’ve applied for. If you know an industry reporter, talk to him and find out the current industry trend when it comes to paying salaries for your position. Getting an accurate picture of what you should be earning will put you in a better position when it comes to salary negotiation.

Snippets: Small Company or Major Corporation?

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

If you’re new to the industry, don’t just take the first job opportunity that comes your way! Take some time to think about what you would like to accomplish, and try to choose a company that can fit your goals and needs. There are some pros that you can consider while trying to decide whether to work with a small or big organization. With small companies, you do have a greater chance of being noticed and promoted, and you will get a chance to be involved in multiple projects. In a bigger firm, you might be privy to more fringe benefits and perks than you would with a smaller organization, and most of the time, you also start off with a higher salary. You will also gain access to a host of training programmes that can help you hone your professional skills.   

Snippets: Behavioural Interviewing

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

Behavioural interviewing is used to better gauge the potential of candidates, especially jobseekers with little or no traditional work experience. Using this method, employers are able to evaluate whether or not candidates can effectively tackle issues and solve problems, communicate well with others, are able to work in a team environment and display true initiative. This will help employers to select the best candidate for the job. Some general behavioural interviewing points that might be raised include ways to resolve conflicts, the use of presentation skills to influence opinions, and the anticipation of potential problems and possible solutions.

Snippets: Smiling During Interviews

This is part of a series of articles to make your jobseeking experience more meaningful with JobStreet.com.

A smile does make a difference during an interview, but only when it is done earnestly. Some candidates are so worried about answering the questions correctly, that they often forget to smile. It makes a difference when you smile, as you’re projecting yourself as an accessible and affable person to your potential employer. It’s also a sign of confidence and shows that you possess enthusiasm for the job you want. But make sure that your smile is not an artificial grin: that will merely give the impression that you are not genuine!